21 Easy Retro Casserole Recipes To Make on Repeat

It's time to pull out your 9x13.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Published April 26, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
hand with wooden spoon scooping out some Classic Tater Tot Hotdish out of baking dish

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

If you're looking for a hearty taste of the past (sometimes with an excellent name and backstory to boot), you'll get it in one of these retro casserole recipes. Grab your trusty 9x13 baking dish because it's time to find a new favorite. You'll find something you love, from tater tot hot dish and strawberry sonker to Tennessee onions and walking tacos. Don't forget to read the helpful tips and tricks from our editors and contributors along the way!

  • Johnny Marzetti Casserole

    Spoonful of Johnny Marzetti Casserole lifted from the casserole dish, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates and a bowl of mixed greens salad

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "I contend that macaroni is the pasta for Johnny Marzetti. Egg noodles are also traditional, but macaroni creates a superior framework to hold the sauce and beef together." —Sara Bir, Former Senior Editor

  • Tennessee Onions

    Tennessee Onions (Casserole) from above in a casserole dish with a spoon

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel

    "Swap the cheeses out with others like Muenster, fontina, and Monterey Jack cheese." —Marianne Williams, Recipe Developer

  • Strawberry Sonker

    strawberry sonker in a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

    "These are the desserts my grandmother made most often. She never thought of herself as a baker, but in the South, a meal isn’t complete without something sweet. So she often whipped up cobblers using whatever fruit was in season (or in her freezer)." —Meg Scott, Senior Editor

  • Upside Down Chili Pie

    upside down chili pie

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "When I was thumbing through a vintage book recently, I noticed a picture of fluffy cornbread layered over a heaping spread of chili. I exclaimed to myself 'That makes so much sense!' This retro upside-down chili pie takes the classic pairing and turns it into a fun dish." — Malina Syvoravong, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 5 of 21 below

  • Potato Kugel

    Serving of Potato Kugel on a Pie Server, Moved from Casserole Dish to a Plate

    Simply Recipes / Micah Siva

    "I like to soak my grated potatoes in ice-cold water to remove any excess starches, then wring or squeeze out the liquid. This prevents a gummy kugel." —Micah Siva, Recipe Developer

  • Tater Tot Hotdish

    hand with wooden spoon scooping out some Classic Tater Tot Hotdish out of baking dish

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "Exchange cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken, celery, or even tomato soup." —Devan Grimsrud, Recipe Developer

  • Do Nothing Cake

    Overhead view of a glass baking dish of pineapple coconut cake with two slices removed next to two small plates with slices along with three forks

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Rachel Vanni / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

    "I have a few go-to cookie and brownie recipes, but I rarely dabble in cakes. But when I came across a 1940s-era recipe for something called “Do Nothing Cake,” I was intrigued. It sounded like something I could probably handle, and the combined flavors of coconut, pineapple, and pecans were a perfect fit for me." —Stephanie A Ganz, Recipe Developer

  • Denver Omelette Hashbrown Casserole

    Slice of Denver omelette hashbrown casserole lifted from a casserole dish, and in the surroundings, a stack of plates and a mug

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "This is a great way to use up some leftover ham, so bust it out for a special breakfast the day after a big holiday meal–or make it on a weeknight since it’s easy and so, so satisfying." —Jasmine Smith, Recipe Developer

    Continue to 9 of 21 below

  • Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole in a casserole dish with a spoon (casserole dish missing some casserole / some of the casserole was already served)

    Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

    "Walking taco casserole has all the components of a walking taco from the bag served in a casserole dish for convenience. It's easily adaptable so you can enjoy it with your favorite toppings." —Karishma Pradhan, Recipe Developer

  • Baked Ziti

    Casserole dish of cheesy baked ziti

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Bakes

    "Ziti is a pretty common pasta shape in most areas, but you can substitute penne pasta if you can't find it. You want a substantial short pasta shape with places to hold the sauce and meat." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Chocolate Pudding Cake

    two bowls of chocolate pudding cake with scoops of vanilla ice cream next to a baking pan with more cake

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "The 1950s recipe comes together in just a few simple steps, and you won’t have to wait long for that first bite after pulling the warm cake out of the oven. It’s a cross between a soft brownie and a bowl of chocolate pudding, with each layer bringing plenty of chocolate flavor to the table." —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

  • Shipwreck Casserole

    shipwreck casserole in a casserole dish at a table setting with a bowl of scallions, plate, and glass of water

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "Almost every version of shipwreck casserole I’ve seen includes some sort of potato, most often lots of raw potatoes that are peeled and sliced very thinly. In my recipe, frozen hash browns make it quicker and easier. Plus, the hash browns get incredibly crispy on the bottom and top of the casserole." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

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  • Easy Chicken Cobbler

    Angled view of a white plate of chicken cobbler and fork on a speckled countertop

    Simply Recipes / Ali Redmond

    "Rather than cooking chicken from scratch, you can use whatever leftover cooked chicken you have on hand (white or dark meat or a mix is all fine!), or grab a rotisserie chicken and shred it up." —Afton Cyrus, Contributor

  • Cheesy Potato Casserole

    Some potato casserole being lifted out of the pan with a wooden spoon, ready to serve
    Nick Evans | Art Banner Credit: Andy Christensen

    "While I like making my own sauce for this casserole, I prefer using frozen hash browns over fresh. They are a consistent product and easy to use. Plus, frozen hash browns are par-cooked so there is little risk that you will end up with uncooked potato in the center of your casserole." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Tamale Pie

    A casserole dish with a tamale pie and a piece missing.
    Annika Panikker

    "Eliminate the raisins if you're not a fan of them or don’t want the sweetness." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Peach and Raspberry Pandowdy

    peach and raspberry pandowdy in a casserole dish next to a stack of plates on comfy (cottage-core style) table

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

    "This is the kind of dessert I make all summer as the berries and stone fruit roll in, and I am helpless to resist buying pint after pint and quart after quart. If you’ve got fruit to spare or just want to make an impressively delicious but easy summer dessert, look no further." —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

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  • Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole

    Angle view of a white baking dish of chicken tetrazzini with a slice removed next to a blue cloth napkin

    Simply Recipes / Carla Cardello

    "Chicken Tetrazzini might be one of the most underrated casseroles out there. The first time I had it, I was peeved that it had taken me decades to discover its deliciousness. I quickly set out to master the retro recipe in my own kitchen." —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

  • Twice Baked Potato Casserole

    A wooden spoon lifting a serving of twice baked potato casserole from a baking dish

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "To get more veggies in, add blanched spinach, sautéed peppers, mushrooms, roasted garlic, or broccoli florets to the mix." —Brianne Ross, Recipe Developer

  • Turkey Noodle Casserole

    Serving turkey noodle casserole from a baking dish

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    "You can make this turkey casserole in advance and store it in the fridge right in the ceramic or metal casserole dish to go directly from the refrigerator to the oven." —Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Easy Shepherd's Pie

    A slice of shepherd's pie on a plate with a fork.

    Simply Recipes / Cambrea Gordon

    "If you want to switch the recipe up, sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top of the mashed potatoes before baking." —Elise Bauer, Founder

    Continue to 21 of 21 below

  • Apple Bread Pudding

    Slice of Apple Bread Pudding on a Plate with Sauce Drizzling

    Simply Recipes / Hannah Zimmerman

    "This recipe is great for prepping ahead of time. You can assemble the bread pudding completely, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Make the sauce and store it separately in the refrigerator." —Hannah Zimmerman, Recipe Developer

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